Bacchus Marsh

Bacchus Marsh Family

From baby rhyme sessions and seasonal swimming to gymnastics, athletics and supervised youth activities, families around Bacchus Marsh can find practical ways to play, learn and connect. Local health, parenting, disability and financial services also offer support at different stages of family life.

✨ Play, movement and early learning

BK’s Gymnastics Bacchus Marsh

Children can build movement skills through age-based gymnastics at the local centre on Halletts Way. Little Stars is parent-assisted for ages 1–5, Gym FUNdamentals is for ages 5–8, and Club Gym caters for ages 8–12 and over, with specialty classes also available. Enrolment is open year-round. Selected school-holiday sessions welcome members and non-members; most are supervised, but check the arrangements for the particular session.

Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics Centre

Young athletes aged 5–16 can take part in local track and field at Masons Lane Reserve. The main season generally runs from October until mid or late March, followed by winter cross-country from April to mid-August. Saturday meets usually run from 8.30 am to about noon. Registration is completed through the Little Athletics Victoria portal.

Moorabool Libraries – children’s programs at Lerderderg Library

Term-time library sessions give younger children and their adults a regular opportunity to enjoy songs, stories and language activities together. Tuesday sessions include Baby Bounce for babies aged 0–12 months and Rhyme Time for ages 1–3, while Story Time for ages 3–5 is held on Thursdays. Occasional all-ages school-holiday activities are also offered, with arrangements varying by event.

Bacchus Marsh Outdoor Pool

For warm-weather recreation, the council-operated seasonal facility has a lap pool, toddler pool, kiosk and change rooms with showers. It generally operates from December to March, but daily opening is affected by a temperature policy. The pool is listed as a Companion Card Scheme affiliate. Confirm the season dates, weather decision and current admission costs before setting out.

🌟 Groups for children and young people

Girl Guides Victoria – Bacchus Marsh Guide Units

Girls and young women can join non-formal learning and group experiences at local Guide Units in Darley. The listed age sections are Rainbow Guides for ages 7–9, Ivy Guides for ages 10–13 and Blue Star Guides for ages 13–17. Ask Girl Guides Victoria about current meeting arrangements and vacancies before planning a first visit.

Scouts Victoria – Bacchus Marsh Scout Group

The Darley-based group provides a pathway through several age sections: Joey Scouts for ages 5–8, Cub Scouts for ages 8–11, Scouts for ages 11–14, Venturer Scouts for ages 14–18 and Rover Scouts for ages 18–25. Families interested in trying or joining a section can make an enquiry through Scouts Victoria’s local-group page.

Moorabool Shire Council Youth Services

Young people aged 11–25 who live, work or study in Moorabool can access council youth programs. For ages 11–17, Studio 22 at Darley Civic and Community Hub is a supervised school-term drop-in with games, computers, craft and youth-worker support. Tap-In Thursdays at MARC Stadium provides another free, supervised school-term drop-in. Neither requires a booking, although a Youth Services permission form is required. School-holiday activities are also available for ages 11–17.

❤ Parents, babies and family wellbeing

Moorabool Shire Council – Maternal and Child Health

Moorabool families with children from birth to school age can access free consultations and practical early-years support. Offerings include key age-and-stage visits, first-time parent groups, breastfeeding assistance, sleep and settling support, and Imagination Magic performing arts and literacy sessions for children aged 0–5 with a parent or carer. Face-to-face and telehealth appointments can be arranged. A self-serve baby weigh station is available at Darley Early Years Hub on weekdays.

Moorabool Shire Council – Supported Playgroups

Free Smalltalk playgroups combine facilitated play with guidance for parents of children from birth to school age. A qualified facilitator helps families support children’s communication, language, social development and wellbeing. Priority access applies to eligible families with children aged 0–5, including Health Care Card holders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, kinship carers and families entering through specified referral pathways. One-to-one home support is also available within the program.

Western Health – Maternity Unit

Bacchus Marsh Hospital provides maternity care for healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies, covering antenatal care through to the first weeks at home. The service is intended for low-risk pregnancies over 37 weeks and accepts self-referrals or GP referrals through Western Health Intake. Care involves midwifery, obstetric, paediatric and allied-health staff, with lactation consultant support available on specified days.

CatholicCare Victoria – Family Wellbeing Support Service

Families living in Bacchus Marsh with children up to age 18 can seek regional support through CatholicCare’s family-support enquiry pathway. Depending on family circumstances, assistance may include one-to-one support, parenting or relationship information sessions and groups, referrals, short-term help or longer-term assistance for more complex issues.

🧩 Development, disability and carer connection

Pinarc – Bacchus Marsh Disability Parent Connection Group

This monthly connection group is for parents and carers of children and young adults with disability or additional needs. Participants do not need to use another Pinarc service or have an NDIS plan. Meetings are usually held at Darley Neighbourhood House or other local venues. Registration and current arrangements should be confirmed with Pinarc’s Parent Support Program Coordinator.

Western Health – Paediatrics

At Bacchus Marsh Hospital, Western Health offers medical outreach and allied-health care for children aged 0–12. Support may relate to development, disability, autism, sensory needs, feeding or other health concerns. Children’s services generally require referral from a GP, paediatrician or maternal and child health nurse; some programs also accept referrals from another health or education professional. Eligibility requirements and waiting lists may apply.

Bacchus Marsh Psychology Clinic and ANSA Health

Local child and adolescent therapy is available alongside paediatric occupational therapy. OT may support development, sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills, emotional regulation and participation in everyday activities. Therapy for children and adolescents uses family-centred care. Listed access options include private appointments, eligible Medicare referrals, and self-managed or plan-managed NDIS funding.

💡 Financial and parenting support

Cafs – Family and Parenting Support and Financial Wellbeing

Cafs has a Bacchus Marsh office and provides free, confidential financial counselling for local people experiencing hardship or needing help with debt. Moorabool residents can also access financial capability support through in-person, telephone or video appointments. Family and parenting assistance includes workshops and family casework. Contact Cafs to identify the appropriate pathway for the type of help required.

📌 Check before you go

• Age and eligibility: Confirm that your child’s age, home address or circumstances fit the program criteria, especially for supported playgroups, youth services and referred health care.
• Bookings and forms: Ask whether enrolment, registration, a referral, a permission form or an advance booking is needed.
• Accessibility: Discuss mobility, sensory, communication or other access requirements directly with the provider before attending.
• Supervision: Check whether a parent or carer must remain, particularly for early-years activities and individual school-holiday sessions.
• Current arrangements: Reconfirm session dates, vacancies, seasonal operation, weather changes, waiting lists and any costs or funding conditions.

👉 Run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group that serves Bacchus Marsh and the surrounding district? You are warmly invited to add your details or update an existing listing so local families can find accurate, practical information.

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